Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-09-16
THE ISSUE MARYLAND.
What Writer In The New York sun
Says About Our POii,ics.


Tile New York Sun of Sunday gave a lengthy
review of politics III Maryland which contained
some interesting inside facts concerning Demo-
cratic and fusion movements in this state. IL
opens with u statement of the recent republican
State convention. in which it says +. ]. ID. Cross
and IL. Irvine Cross, of the legal department of
the Baltimore and Ohio RailrOad were present
in an advisory capacity, and John h. Cowen, the
general counsel of that railroad, was introduced
10 the convention, and made a speech announc-
ing that the civil service reformers would sup
port the ticket. The writer says: The desire
OF the civil service reformers was that the re-
publcans should put up a fusion ticket on which
they should have representation, but the sting
of past experiences OF the sort was still too keen
and the convention wouldn't listen to such a
proposal. The past relations between the mug
wumps and the republicans in Maryland have
been like those between Brer Rabbit and Brer
Fox, as described by Uncle Remus. The repub-
lcan fox tackled the Democratic wildcat two
years ago under the lead of the mugwump rab-
bit, and got clip that pretty nearly did tor him.
The republican vote was reduced in the Legisa-
ture from 40 To H. and from having IL out of 26 Of
the State Senators the number was reduced to 4.
The fact Is that, although Marylan Is pointed
out awful example Of the spoils sy stem, the
people are very cheerful and contented under
their political yoke; and, indeed there Is a strong
feeling to the effect that other communities
would do well to get some bosses OF the Maryland
stamp, snd initiate some OF the old fashioned
states political methods For one thing the In :
qurer quickly discovers that Mary yand enjoys u
singularly frugal and economical government
The highest salaried officer in the state is that OF
gets 5000 year. The Governor has to rub
along oa 81 ,5O, and although he has house given
him TO live IN, the duties of hospitality imposed
by his station don't give him any margin over
expenses. The comptroller and the treasurer
get only s., 5tJ apiece. Twenty-Five thousand dol
lars a year covers the OF all the officers
OF the Maryland State government, their clerks
and employees There are no fat fee offices In the
state, as officials receiving fees are required 10
hand over all in excess OF $500 year. Mr..
Rasin, the perpetual target OF mugwump ami
mostly, was the clerk Of the Court of Common
Pleas in baltimore city for eighteen years A
part OF his duties was the collection OF State lis
censs feesand lie paid over To the State TREASURED
several hundred thousand dollars year. His
clerk hire and office penses amounted to about
81, go year. He took $3.50 for salary, aud the
balance went to the state. The allowance for
clerical hire and office expenses must be approx
ed by the State comptroller, and 81 ,0 Is regard
ed as a big salary for a clerk.
outside of the city OF baltimore and a few OF
the large counties fees do not reach the limit OF
the amount allowed 70 the official, but Whatever
be the sum received by any clerk OF court sheriff
States attorney, register OF wills, notary public.
or what not he mnsi rsgnatly account for II, and
each individual account Is published in the an
uual report Of the state Comptroller. Judges ge,
s. 0S year except in the city, where the muni-
cipal corporation adds $50 Ia the salary. Police
justices are allowed 10 pocket sl,soo per annum
out OF their fees
"Marylanders are 80 accustomed 10 this plain
old-iashion. uureformcd way OF rubbing along
that the mugwumpian clamox makes little or nc
imprsss,on upon mem T., pI,,s srn h", rs.orh p
looked at the matter as the fad OF some we'll.
meaning gentlemen. and attached no practical
Importance TO the movement When The league
| rired Its bruadsidc against Higgins the outbursl
excited simply Amazement Higgins WAS know n
A. sort OF man about town, not particularly
choice in his company. but his record A. an Office
| holder was good one. lie Is a remarkably good
clerk, quick, accuI ate and methu<iicAl. As a
clerk in the record Office, baltimore where the
pay Is according to the amount of writing done
he had the epu tatlon OF making the largest bills
ever known in the Office. He served With credit
In the city council. As a SECRETARY 10 the Mary
| land Senate old timers declared him to bs the
smart"st man who ever nlisd the post A. u
politician he WAS never regarded lcasisr. bu,
AS a wonderfully handy man to have around
| During state campaigns he WAS always at the
party headquarters. hokiug after the CORES
pnndence. untiring with hts pen. and fertile Ia
suggestion. He bad a genealogical memory
with Q faculty for findns out " ho " ho aud " he
his relatives 30 far A. illness Is concerned
the appointment Was good one. and why The re-
formers should single hin out foS conversion In
| to a bugey was y puxxier. IL must still be pur
Gle to people who gn 10 the Treasury department
at Washington with the boxey idea Of Higxin,
In their minds and ind 10 their surprise n suasc
dne looking man with gray hair and . nustache
and a marked faculty Tot dealing - tn peopie o.
tact. urhanity and dispatch.
| The founder oi the Higgins colt Is Mr.. Charlie,
J. Bonaparte. who 10 ts understood. Is now pre
| pairing another essay on his faNorits topic dis
course on Higgins from Bouapsrte 10 Is inSsrta
bly, an incident Of . meeting of the Nataona
| Cfvil Service Reform Association . spsect
from Geo W Curtis II seems 10 be - imp'~si
BILE for him 10 discuss any pablsc matter withou
| reference 10 Higgins IL Was for David CopT-r
fields friend. Mr.. Dick. TO avoid Allusiotis u
Charles I. This suggestion OF Mr.. Dick Ia Mr.
| Bonapartes behavior 10 heightened by way q
notding smiling ard talking 90 himself a. >
goes along the stgevs-
The article says The ahiest OF the civil s<fvlc'
reformers Is Sir. =. Teackl- aliis. rho stand
at the head OF the baltimore bar. and " no has
faculty for sarcasm and !pvective that make
him a treme ntioas fellow" The campaign q
iSS5 between Major Allison. the personal friend
OF Mr.. W allis and Mr.. James bond. for the clerk
ship of the superior Court is described. - als<
| is the mayoraIlty contest OF 1891 between Aayoi
| Hedges and Judge Brown, -the father In law o
Mr.. trv~s-"
| In conclusion the article says that the repubIi
can state convention OF this year resolved Tn o.
they opposed to the calling Of constitu tbonA
Convention at this time. That In the is.ue of tn,
campaign In Maryland"